At SBLF, Mother’s Day holds a deep meaning because it marks the anniversary of the passing of our beloved Shirley Bradley Price LeFlore, who departed on Mother’s Day morning, Sunday, May 12, 2019, at the age of 79, surrounded by her family in her Frontenac home. Even though Shirley is no longer with us, her love and spirit continue to motivate us in our work at SBLF. Below are personal remembrances honoring Shirley and Mother’s Day from SBLF Board members.
HOPE L. PRICE LINDSAY Co-Founder/Board Member
My mother, Shirley Bradley Price LeFlore, was a talented artist and poet, a courageous creative who found her voice through her writing. She devoted her life to her craft, a decision that often brought challenges. Nevertheless, she always shone brightest and felt most alive while engaged in her art.Shirley introduced us to the arts when we were young. My stepfather, jazz musician Floyd LeFlore, was a co-founder of the Black Artists Group (BAG), established in St. Louis in the mid-1960s. BAG served as a venue for Black musicians, dancers, actors, and visual artists in the area. Starting at the age of ten, I frequently spent my weekends at the BAG building downtown, either taking classes or watching performances. This experience sparked my passion for theatre, which I eventually pursued as my major at Howard University.
I am also a writer—poet, author, and playwright. I can honestly say that my talent comes naturally. My mother’s legacy includes not just her children and grandchildren, but also the young people she inspired to write and taught how to use words to express thoughts, convey emotions, heal wounds, satisfy hunger, and seek refuge during difficult times.
My mother had a profound love for words, and through them, she made a lasting impact. At 66, when I look in the mirror, I see my mother. The words I speak could easily have been hers. I smile, knowing that even though she is no longer physically present, her spirit lives on in me, and her words continue to bring me comfort.
JACIE W. PRICE, Co-Founder/Board Member
My mother’s words were more than poems on a page—
they were a way of living, a way of being.
She taught me that writing—pen, pencil, or crayon in hand—
wasn’t just for school or stories,
it was for the soul.
“Write it down,” she’d say.
When you’re sad and the world feels quiet—
write it down.
When joy surprises you—
write that down too.
When you’re angry, confused, or just trying to understand—
put it on the page.
Let it live there.
Let it teach you something later,
or become a beautiful memory you didn’t know you were saving.
She believed in my words before I knew I had any.
“You’re a great writer,” she’d say, over and over,
planting that seed,
even when I couldn’t see the bloom.
Thank you, Mom.
For your truth,
your love,
and your faith in my voice.
With every word I write,
I carry you.
JULLIAN PRICE BAEZ, Board Member
Shirley Bradley Price LeFlore was not only my friend and teacher, she was also my Nana. I was blessed to be surrounded by her voice through her poetry, music, and intellectual discourse. Experiencing her artistic expression from St. Louis to New York deepened my appreciation for her distinctive storytelling and the origins of her narratives.I am committed to preserving Shirley’s legacy. Her influence at the crossroads of poetry, activism, education, and healing reminds me of my origins and is what sustains me daily. A significant part of my identity stems from the influence she has had on my family and the community, and her lasting contributions to humanity are still felt today.
ALERIC ANDERSON, Board Member/Musical Director
The influence of Shirley Bradley Price LeFlore and her works runs deep through my entire creative journey. She trusted me with creating the music score for her work A Cup of Black Coffee Three Lumps of Sugar With A Spit of Cream, when I was just a kid in undergrad, and my life was changed forever. I am honored to be a part of carrying her legacy forward.
GABRIELLE DAVID, Board Member/Program Director
Shirley Bradley Price LeFlore was not only a friend but also a mentor and creative collaborator. She was a member of the board for my first nonprofit in New York and played a key role in developing various program initiatives, including cohosting a local literary television show. I had the privilege of publishing two of Shirley’s poetry collections through 2Leaf Press, which I established in 2012 as a continuation of my previous nonprofit. More significantly, she became a maternal figure for me, who offered guidance and support when I needed it and stood by me without judgment. I truly miss that. In her memory, I work to reflect her essence at SBLF, to create a safe and nurturing space for artists from various backgrounds, while offering a platform that unites people through multicultural and intergenerational literature that is entertaining as well as informative.
Although Shirley is no longer here, her love and spirit continue to inspire us in our efforts at SBLF, and we hope you will join us in our mission to promote and foster literary excellence in St. Louis.
